Shoulder and arm restraint

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic orthopedic device is described. The orthopedic device serves to restrain and limit movement of a human arm and shoulder. The device comprises a torso pillow, a padded forearm support attached to the pillow and a shoulder strap that traverses the clavicle region of the opposite shoulder. The pillow is positioned to rest against the torso of a user and the strap is positioned over the opposite shoulder. The forearm support acts as a shelf upon which the user&#39;s forearm may rest in a natural position. Flexible straps extend from the forearm support, over the user&#39;s forearm, and engage with the pillow to secure the forearm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/556,644, filed Aug. 30, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No.11,179,265, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/905,337, filed May 20, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.10,398,585, and is a continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/444,733, filed Jul. 28, 2014, which is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/731,289, filed Dec.31, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,821,425, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to therapeutic devices. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a therapeutic device forrecuperative support following surgical repair to a human arm orshoulder. In preferred embodiments the invention relates to a devicethat aids in restraining movement of a human arm or shoulder bymaintaining the arm and shoulder in a fixed yet comfortable position forextended periods of time.

BACKGROUND

Following an operation or injury to an arm or shoulder it is oftennecessary to immobilize the afflicted arm in a substantially stationaryposition where the upper arm is slightly elevated and where the forearmis slightly away from the body. Over the years several types of deviceswere developed to accomplish this. Early devices included metallic armsupports and plaster casts which greatly decreased patient mobility andgreatly increased patient discomfort.

Later devices such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,896,660;7,244,239; 8,109,273 and other patents show more pliable and flexibledevices that incorporate foam, pillows, straps and harnesses. Althoughthere are a plethora of devices containing various soft components andarchitectures for stabilizing or restraining a human shoulder and arm,most are still quite bulky, overly complicated and uncomfortable for thewearer.

For example, the device discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,660 comprisesmultiple foam components that are connected by hook and loop fastenersand straps. The components are positioned such that it is likelyimpossible for a recovering surgical patient to put the device on andoff without assistance. In addition the device has the affected armextending from the body in an unprotected, spar-like manner where it iseasily caught on obstacles such as doorways, furniture and the like.

Other devices such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,109,273 and7,244,239 encase the forearm and/or upper arm in a rigid orthotic (U.S.Pat. No. 8,109,273) or a sling (U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,239). Patientsreport that such devices are uncomfortable due to heat build-up and/orthe formation of pressure points.

Additional patient complaints relate to the shoulder strap thattypically accompanies such devices. Restraint devices typicallyincorporate some form of a strap that extends around the neck to restagainst the neck or more preferably on the opposite shoulder. Typicallythese straps are padded as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,239 and/or incorporateloops or other tension reducing devices to increase comfort for theuser. Unfortunately, such straps tend to “creep” from the shouldertoward the side of the neck where the weight of the supported armbecomes more focused. This results in patient discomfort. The discomfortcan lead to the patient shrugging the injured shoulder in an effort tomove the strap to a more comfortable position which moves the shoulderand arm. Some devices, such as the '239 device attempt to address thisproblem by fixing a shoulder strap to a torso strap to prevent shoulderstrap movement. Unfortunately, this architecture complicates use of thedevice, often to the extent that a patient needs help putting on andremoving the device.

The difficulties and shortcomings discussed above are not intended to beexhaustive, but rather are among many which may tend to reduce theeffectiveness and patient satisfaction with existing devices. Perhaps,more importantly, the human body is a very dynamic system. Treatments,braces, and straps that provide relief for one patient often do notprovide relief for another, which is one reason there is such a largenumber of orthopedic devices on the market for all types of orthopedicconditions. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for new andinnovative orthopedic devices to provide treatment and relief to thosepatients that do not respond to known treatment methods.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention is a shoulder restraint device comprising apillow having a top face, a bottom face, a lateral face, a medial face,an anterior face, and a posterior face. The medial face is generallyconcave and the lateral face has a proximal border and a distal borderthat generally defines the proximal to distal “height” of the device.The device also comprises a padded forearm support extending along aportion of the pillow lateral face intermediate the anterior face andthe posterior face. The padded forearm support is separate from butpermanently attached to the pillow lateral face proximate the distalborder of the pillow lateral face. The device also comprises a forearmstrap releaseably connected to the pillow and a shoulder strap having afirst end connected to an anterior point on the pillow and a second endconnected to a posterior point on the pillow. The shoulder strap has alength sufficient to traverse the opposite shoulder of a user andpreferably has a scalloped portion that traverses the clavicle region ofthe opposite shoulder.

Another aspect of the invention encompasses a method for restraining themovement of an arm and a shoulder joint. The method comprises the stepof providing a restraint device such as the one described in thepreceding paragraph and positioning the pillow (and the overall device)to rest against a human torso. The scalloped portion of the shoulderstrap is positioned to traverse the clavicle region of the oppositeshoulder. The forearm of the user is then positioned to rest upon thepadded forearm support and secured in place by engaging the forearmstrap with the padded forearm support and pillow.

The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of theinvention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possibleembodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evidentupon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawingscomprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations ofinvention may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent from the following description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustrationand example, an embodiment of this invention and various featuresthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

These and other more detailed and specific features of the presentinvention are more fully disclosed in the following specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a restraint device according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the lateral side of a restraint device according tothe invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of the medial side of a restraint device according tothe invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of the anterior side of a restraint device according tothe invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of the posterior side of a restraint device accordingto the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a restraint device according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a restraint device according to theinvention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a human using a restraint device accordingto the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a restraint device according to theinvention illustrating the device as it would appear hanging loosewithout the forearm straps engaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousdetails are set forth, such as device configurations and possiblemovements, to provide an understanding of one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. Furthermore, the following detailed description is ofthe best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. Thedescription is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely forthe purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. Thevarious features and advantages of the present invention may be morereadily understood with reference to the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

While the invention is described with respect to various embodimentsthereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variouschanges in detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit,scope, and teaching of the invention. Accordingly, the invention hereindisclosed is limited only as specified in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals refer tolike parts or elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 one embodiment of ashoulder and arm stabilizing restraint 10 according to the invention.Although the restraint can be considered to be a single unit thisdetailed description discusses the various components of the deviceseparately as an aid in understanding the invention.

In one embodiment the restraint 10 comprises a pillow 12, a paddedforearm support 14, at least one forearm strap 16 and a shoulder strap18. The pillow 12 is a generally oblong, flexible, soft, and pliantsupport that is formed of fabric that surrounds and encases a formed ormolded and compressible foam. Alternatively, the fabric of the pillow 12could surround and encase filler such as cotton batting, polyesterfilament, latex shards, buckwheat hulls, polymer spheres, or similarfillers. In other embodiments, the pillow 12 could consist of a formedor molded foam that is not encased by fabric but has stable attachments(e.g., polymer tabs or tags) suitable for attaching the other listedcomponents. The pillow 12 utilized in the practice of the invention maybe formed using any known and suitable method for producing pillows.

Those skilled in the art recognize that there may be some differencesfrom pillow to pillow depending on how the pillow utilized in theinvention is made. For example, the pillows 12 discussed herein aredescribed in terms of having a plurality of “faces” (e.g., top face,bottom face, etc.). Pillows made from formed or molded foam will havetypically have rather smooth and flat faces that intersect with eachother in generally linear and angular fashion. In contrast, pillows madefrom fabric encased with filler (e.g., “stuffed” pillows) will have morerounded faces that transition from one to the other over more roundededges and seams.

For purposes of this discussion it is assumed that the pillow 12 isformed by sewing one or more panels of fabric together to create a“stuffed” pillow of the form generally depicted in FIG. 1 where facesand angles are somewhat rounded for patient comfort. Thus, directionaland architectural terms such as “face” or “parallel” are used in ageneral sense rather than a precise geometrical sense.

FIG. 1 illustrates one pillow 12 that may be used in the practice of theinvention. Note that this pillow is generally best suited for use insecuring the left arm and shoulder as shown in FIG. 8 . Those skilled inthe art can adapt the invention as necessary for use with a right armand shoulder.

The pillow 12 has a top face 20, a bottom face 22, a lateral face 24, amedial face 26, an anterior face 28, and a posterior face 30. The topface 20 is separated from the bottom face 22 by a distance. The distancebetween top face 20 and the bottom face 22 is defined by theproximal-to-distal width “A” of the medial face 26 (FIG. 3 ) and theproximal-to-distal width “B” of the lateral face 24 (FIG. 4 ). In mostinstances the widths “A” and “B” will be roughly the same such that topface 20 and bottom face 22 are roughly parallel to each other. However,some deviation between “A” and “B” will not alter the practice of theinvention.

In preferred embodiments the distance “B” is sufficient to allow aportion of the pillow lateral face 24 to serve as a surface againstwhich the forearm of the user may rest as shown in FIG. 8 . In otherwords, the distance “B” should be sufficient that when the forearmsupport 14 is attached to the pillow, the lateral face 24 forms a wallpreventing the forearm of the user from moving medially toward the bodyof the user.

The medial face 26 is generally concave as shown in FIG. 7 to conform tothe general shape of a human torso. The anterior to posterior length ofthe pillow 12 and the degree of concavity for medial face 26 can bealtered to fit various sized individuals.

The pillow medial face 26 is defined by a proximal border 32 and adistal border 34, FIG. 3 . The pillow lateral, anterior and posteriorfaces have similar proximal and distal borders.

In one preferred embodiment the posterior portion of the pillow 12 islarger than the anterior portion as shown in FIG. 6 giving the pillow aslight kidney-bean shape. Specifically, in this embodiment the pillowanterior face 28 is smaller than the pillow posterior face 30. Morespecifically, the medial to lateral width “D” (FIG. 5 ) of the posteriorface 30 is greater than the medial to lateral width “E” (FIG. 4 ) of theanterior face 28. One benefit of such an arrangement is that it placesthe arm and shoulder in a somewhat neutral position where the forearm ofthe user is substantially parallel to the body's sagittal plane.

The device 10 further comprises a padded forearm support 14 permanentlyconnected to and extending along a portion of the pillow lateral face 24intermediate the pillow anterior face 28 and the pillow posterior face30. The padded forearm support 14 is similar to the pillow 12 in that itcan be formed of the same materials and in the same fashion (e.g., a“stuffed” fabric or foam covered fabric).

Likewise, the padded forearm support 14 is defined by a forearm supporttop face 36, a forearm support bottom face 38, a forearm support medialface 40, a forearm support lateral face 42, a forearm support anteriorface 44, and a forearm support posterior face 46. In preferredembodiments the forearm support medial face 40 abuts the pillow lateralface 24 and is contoured to match the contour of the lateral face 24.

For example, if the pillow 12 is “stuffed” with filler such that thelateral surface 24 is slightly rounded, then the forearm support medialface 40 can be contoured to have a slightly angled curve in it. With aslightly angled curve, the forearm support medial face 40 can rest flushagainst the lateral surface 24 along its entire length. This arrangementpositions the forearm support top face 36 substantially perpendicular tothe pillow lateral face 24 when the device is in use. The contouring cantake the form of creating a contoured fabric enclosure that is stuffedwith filler. Alternatively, and generally preferably, the forearmsupport 14 is made from a formed or molded compressible foam that can beeasily contoured thus increasing manufacturing efficiencies.

In a preferred embodiment the padded forearm support 14 is separate frombut permanently attached to the pillow lateral face 24 proximate thedistal border 34 of the pillow lateral face 24. The method of permanentattachment can vary depending upon the materials and architectureutilized in the construction of the restraint. In a preferred embodimentthat incorporates a pillow 12 and a forearm support 14 that is coveredin fabric, the fabric of the forearm support medial face 40 is sewn tothe fabric of the pillow lateral face 24. However, glue or other typesof permanent attachment can be used as well. For purposes of thisdiscussion a zippered attachment is also considered a permanentattachment due to the mechanical difficulty and manual dexterityrequired to engage and disengage a zipper.

Permanent attachment of the forearm support 14 to the pillow 12 preventsthe forearm support 14 from being accidentally dislodged during use ascan happen with devices that utilize hook and loop fasteners to connectforearm supports to torso pillows.

As noted previously, attaching the padded forearm support 14 proximatethe distal border 34 of the lateral face 24 provides a “shelf” upon withthe user's forearm may comfortably rest and a “retaining wall” thatprevents medial movement of the forearm which in turn helps isolate theshoulder joint.

Fabric covers for both the forearm support 14 and pillow 12 can haveportals (not shown) that allow the user to change the padding level ofthe forearm support 14 or pillow 12. For example, one of the faces ofthe forearm support 14 or pillow 12 can have a zipper (not shown) thatallows access to the interior of the forearm support 14 covering orpillow 12 for purposes of adding, removing or exchanging padding.

As noted above, some prior art devices utilize a sling or otherwisefully encase the forearm and/or upper arm in fabric or formed polymer toimmobilize the arm and shoulder. Some patients find such slingarrangements uncomfortable because the slings trap heat and prevent airflow. Slings also tend to hold the arm tightly which can causediscomfort.

In contrast, the stabilizing restraint 10 comprises at least one forearmstrap 16 that restrains the arm to maintain forearm placement on theforearm support top face. In a preferred embodiment the forearm strap 16is made of an elastic material and preferably a soft, pliant fabric suchas a jersey knit to maximize user comfort. Other types of straps such asthin polymer sheeting or leather can be used as well. One end of theforearm strap 16 is connected to the forearm support 14 and the otherend is connected to the pillow 12.

The points of attachment and the manner of attachment for the forearmstrap 16 can vary. Generally speaking, the primary requirement is thatthe forearm strap 16 traverse the arm of the user in a way to maintainforearm placement as shown in FIG. 8 . The forearm strap 16 can beconnected using several combinations of forearm support faces and pillowfaces. In preferred embodiments the forearm strap 16 is connected to theforearm support bottom face 38 and extends over the forearm supportlateral face 42 to attach to the pillow top face 20 as shown in FIG. 1or a proximal point on the pillow lateral face 24.

The forearm strap 16 is preferably releasably attached to either theforearm support 14 or the pillow 12 or both. Alternatively, the forearmstrap 16 can be permanently attached to either the forearm support 14 orthe pillow 12. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the forearmstrap 16 is either permanently attached (e.g., sewn) or releaseablyattached (e.g., loop and hook fastener 48) to the forearm support bottomface 38 and releasably attached to the pillow top face 20.

As noted previously, using slings or wide straps to restrain a forearmcan cause discomfort for a user. Thus, in preferred embodiments aplurality of forearm straps 16 are used to secure the forearm of theuser in the angle created by the pillow lateral face 24 and the forearmsupport top face 36. Each of the forearm straps 16 are separated by adistance thereby exposing a portion of the arm representing thediaphysis of the radius and ulna.

In other words, the forearm is held in place by discrete straps thatkeep the arm and shoulder restrained yet minimize contact with the armwhile providing air circulation around the arm for maximum comfort.

The forearm support 14 and pillow 12 are secured to the user's body bythe use of straps. One such strap is a shoulder strap 18 such as thosecommonly used in other restraint devices. The shoulder strap 18 isdefined by a first end 52 and a second end 54. The first end 52 isconnected to an anterior point of the pillow 12. The exact point ofattachment is not critical although attachment to a point proximate thepillow anterior face 28 is recommended. Similarly, the second end 54 isconnected to a posterior point of the pillow 12. The exact point ofattachment is not critical although attachment to a point proximate thepillow posterior face 30 is recommended.

The shoulder strap 18 can be connected to the pillow 12 by anyconventional means known in the art (e.g., D-ring and quick-clips) andis preferably adjustable as is known in the art. The shoulder strap 18should be of a length sufficient to extend around the neck of the userand traverse the opposite shoulder of the user, particularly the areaaround the clavicle.

Typical shoulder straps tend to slide toward the neck of a user duringuse which can cause discomfort to the user. One structural remedy forthis is to add a waist strap and fix the shoulder strap to the waiststrap as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,239. Although such an arrangementaids in preventing creep of the shoulder strap toward the neck, thearrangement of straps makes it difficult for a user with one good arm toput the device on and secure it properly.

The current invention addresses the issue of shoulder strap creepwithout resorting to a complicated harness. The restraint device of thecurrent invention utilizes a traditional two-connection strap thatslides easily over the head of a user. However, in a preferredembodiment, the shoulder strap 18 has a scalloped portion 60intermediate the first 52 and second 54 ends of the strap. During usethe scalloped portion 60 is positioned such that it traverses theclavicle area of the opposite shoulder. The scalloped portion 60 ispreferably wider than the remainder of the shoulder strap 18. Thescalloped portion 60 may be integral with the strap 18 or it may beconstructed to be a sleeve that slides along the length of the strap 18.

The curved edges of the scalloped portion 60 conform to the naturalcurve of the shoulder, specifically the clavicle area, thus creatingmore contact between the strap and the shoulder. The difference in gripcan be demonstrated as follows. Place a hand, palm down with thumb flushagainst side of the palm, over the opposite clavicle. Move the hand backand forth from the neck to the edge of the shoulder and note the forcerequired to do so.

Now move the thumb away from the palm and position the hand such thatthe clavicle is now between the outstretched thumb and forefinger—theclavicle is in the web of the hand. Note that the natural curvature ofthe web of the hand adds grip and almost locks the hand in place. Thecurves of the scalloped portion 60 can work in a similar fashion tohinder movement of the shoulder strap 18 toward the neck and thusprovide greater comfort to the user. Covering the side of the scallopedportion 60 that contacts the shoulder with a fabric having a highcoefficient of friction further prevents strap creep.

The stabilizing restraint 10 of the claimed invention can also comprisea waist strap 64 that is similar to those discussed above and shown inother restraint systems. Such a strap would attach to an anterior pointon the pillow 12, extend around the body of the user, and attach to aposterior point on the pillow 12.

The stabilizing restraint 10 of the claimed invention can also comprisea hand strap 62 that traverses the pillow anterior face 28 as shown inFIG. 4 and serves to hold the user's hand in a neutral position and/orrelieve stress on the user's wrist. The hand strap 62 may be made fromthe same materials as the forearm strap 48 and is connected to theanterior portion of the pillow 12 in a similar fashion. An optionalpouch 50 can be added to the pillow to hold possessions. The pouch 50can be on any face. In FIG. 4 it is shown on the anterior face 28.

A further aspect of the invention is a method for restraining themovement of an arm or shoulder joint. The steps of this method includeproviding a pillow 12 having a top face 20, a bottom face 22, a lateralface 24, a medial face 26, an anterior face 28, and a posterior face 30,where the medial face 26 is generally concave to conform to the torso ofa user and where the lateral face 24 has a proximal border 32 and adistal border 34.

The method also includes providing a padded forearm support 14 extendingalong a portion of the pillow lateral face 24 intermediate the anteriorface 28 and the posterior face 30. The padded forearm support 14 ispreferably separate from but permanently attached to the pillow lateralface 24 proximate the distal border 34 of the pillow lateral face 24.

A shoulder strap 18 is provided. The shoulder strap 18 is as describedabove and has a first end 52 connected to an anterior point 52 on thepillow 12 and a second end 54 connected to a posterior point 58 on thepillow 12. The shoulder strap 18 is of a length sufficient to traversethe opposite shoulder of a user.

The method continues by positioning the pillow 12 such that the concavemedial face 26 of the pillow 12 rests against a human torso; positioningthe shoulder strap 18 to traverse the opposite shoulder of a user;positioning the forearm of the user to rest upon the padded forearmsupport 14; and securing the forearm by engaging a forearm strap 48 thattraverses the human forearm and attaches to the forearm support 14 andthe pillow 12 as described above.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typicalembodiments on the invention and, although specific terms have beenemployed, they have been used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoulder and arm stabilizing restraint devicethat is configured to isolate a shoulder joint of a user by supporting arespective forearm of the user, the device comprising: a pillow; aforearm support extending along a portion of said pillow, said forearmsupport being affixed to said pillow, thereby facilitating positioningof said forearm support relative to said pillow; and a forearm strapextending between said pillow and said forearm support, therebyrestricting the forearm support's ability to rotate relative to saidpillow such that said forearm support provides a shelf upon which theuser's forearm may comfortably rest, wherein said pillow is configuredto be positioned between said forearm support and the user's torso whenthe device is in use and the user is in a standing position, and whereinsaid forearm support is configured to be positioned generally under theuser's forearm such that the user's forearm is supported generallyvertically by a top face of said forearm support when the device is inuse and the user is in the standing position.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein said forearm support defines opposed medial and lateral faces,and wherein said forearm support is affixed to said pillow at saidmedial face of said forearm support.
 3. The device of claim 2, whereinsaid forearm strap engages with said lateral face of said forearmsupport when the device is in use.
 4. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid pillow defines opposed medial and lateral faces, wherein saidmedial face of said pillow is configured to nest against a torso of theuser, and wherein said forearm support is affixed to said pillow at saidlateral face of said pillow.
 5. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a shoulder strap extending from each of opposed anterior andposterior points on said pillow and configured to traverse the body ofthe user around a shoulder area opposite the shoulder to be stabilized.6. The device of claim 5, wherein: said shoulder strap further comprisesa scalloped portion; said scalloped portion is a generally thin profilematerial having a length, a width, opposing top and bottom faces,opposing first and second ends, and opposing left and right edgesrunning generally the length of said scalloped portion between theopposing front and rear ends; and said width across the length of saidscalloped portion varies such that said scalloped portion is configuredto conform to a natural curve proximate a shoulder area of the user. 7.The device of claim 6, wherein said width variance of said scallopedportion of said shoulder strap is such that a width of a mid-lengthsection of said scalloped portion is smaller than a width of saidscalloped portion extending away from said mid-length section.
 8. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein said scalloped portion of said shoulder strapis configured to traverse the clavicle area of said shoulder areaopposite the shoulder to be stabilized such that it conforms to anatural clavicle curvature of the user.
 9. The device of claim 1,further comprising a hand strap traversing an anterior face of saidpillow, said hand strap being configured to restrain a hand of the userwhen the device is in use.
 10. The device of claim 1, further comprisinga waist strap extending from each of opposed anterior and posteriorpoints on said pillow and configured to traverse the body of the useraround a waist of the user.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein saidforearm support comprises a padded forearm support.
 12. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a pouch configured for housing personalpossessions.
 13. A method for restraining the movement of an arm and ashoulder joint, the method comprising: providing a pillow; providing aforearm support extending along a portion of said pillow, said forearmsupport being affixed to said pillow, thereby facilitating positioningof said forearm support relative to said pillow; positioning said pillowto rest against a human torso of a user; positioning the forearm of saiduser to rest upon said forearm support; and securing said forearm byengaging a forearm strap that traverses the human forearm and attachesto said forearm support and said pillow such that said forearm supportprovides a shelf upon which the user's forearm comfortably rests. 14.The method of claim 13, further comprising securing a hand associatedwith the secured forearm to an anterior surface of said pillow byengaging a hand strap that traverses a back of the hand and engages withthe anterior face of the pillow.
 15. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: providing a shoulder strap extending from each of opposedanterior and posterior points on said pillow; and positioning saidshoulder strap traversing said user's body around a shoulder areaopposite the shoulder to be stabilized.
 16. The method according toclaim 15, wherein: said shoulder strap further comprises a scallopedportion; said scalloped portion is a generally thin profile materialhaving a length, a width, opposing top and bottom faces, opposing firstand second ends, and opposing left and right edges running generally thelength of said scalloped portion between the opposing front and rearends; said width across the length of said scalloped portion varies; andsaid positioning said shoulder strap traversing said user's body arounda shoulder area opposite the shoulder to be stabilized comprises saidscalloped portion conforming to a natural curve proximate said shoulderarea opposite the shoulder to be stabilized.
 17. The method according toclaim 16, wherein said scalloped portion conforming to a natural curveproximate said shoulder area opposite the shoulder to be stabilizedcomprises said scalloped portion conforming to a natural claviclecurvature of the user.
 18. The method according to claim 13, whereinsaid forearm support comprises a padded forearm support.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: providing awaist strap extending from each of opposed anterior and posterior pointson said pillow; and securing said waist strap around a waist of saiduser.